Well, the movers are booked; they'll be arriving at midday on the 7th. That gives me a week to get everything sorted - they will, apparently, pack everything, but at the rate I'm going, I suspect they won't have anything left to do but load boxes.
I took a load of stuff to the charity shop (four boxes of stuff); and a similar amount to the tip, which was a challenge - I used the local one, and was a little annoyed to find that the signs telling me where it was fizzled out after a while, leaving me to figure out where it was using intuition.
The local tip has been re-branded as an eco-center; there are around fourteen skips, each designated for a specific kind of waste. So I was a little disheartened to be told to just throw everything into one skip.... I've no idea if there's some magic recycling technology that will sort it for me, or if the system doesn't work yet. But I have my suspicious.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Another week closer
I'm down to just two weeks left. I'm starting to see progress around the house, too - boxes of books that have been lying around for, well, quite a while have been emptied, and there are more than a few empty shelves, too.
I've had a few friends round to help themselves to the contents of the bookshelves. Anything that's left in a week or so will be going off to the charity shops, so I'm quite happy that these books are going to people who'll appreciate them. And if you want to grab some free books for yourself, feel free to drop me an email before the 2nd of September.
It's been a busy week, though not necessarily with moving related items. The party last weekend went well - the pub's catering was excellent, and almost everyone who'd said they'd come made it. And they all found plenty to talk about, so I didn't spend the whole evening being stared at by sixty people.
I took a couple of days off to go visiting, seeing a friend (and his family) who I don't get to see often enough. I'd arranged for the electrician to come in while I was away, to get the certification done on the house. Unfortunately, he discovered that there's an issue with the sockets and the circuit breaker not coming on when it's supposed to; so I'm going to get him to re-wire what's needed once I'm out of the way. It's worth doing anyway, I think - it's not going to make the house less easy to sell.
I've had a few friends round to help themselves to the contents of the bookshelves. Anything that's left in a week or so will be going off to the charity shops, so I'm quite happy that these books are going to people who'll appreciate them. And if you want to grab some free books for yourself, feel free to drop me an email before the 2nd of September.
It's been a busy week, though not necessarily with moving related items. The party last weekend went well - the pub's catering was excellent, and almost everyone who'd said they'd come made it. And they all found plenty to talk about, so I didn't spend the whole evening being stared at by sixty people.
I took a couple of days off to go visiting, seeing a friend (and his family) who I don't get to see often enough. I'd arranged for the electrician to come in while I was away, to get the certification done on the house. Unfortunately, he discovered that there's an issue with the sockets and the circuit breaker not coming on when it's supposed to; so I'm going to get him to re-wire what's needed once I'm out of the way. It's worth doing anyway, I think - it's not going to make the house less easy to sell.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
More items gone
I'm starting to feel like I've forgotten something major, because things are going very well indeed.
I've contacted most of the companies I have direct debits with to inform them that I'm moving; there are a couple that can't cope with things too far in advance, so I've made a note to call them back later (the TV Licensing people, for example, can only deal with things two weeks in advance). I've also arranged insurance for me, and as a landlord.
I think I'm down to about a half dozen things left to do; but I'm still left with a few bits that need getting rid of; basically a vast amount of books and the car (plus a couple of old games consoles). I've got a few people coming round to grab what they want from the bookshelves, and after that, it'll be Freecycle, I think.
And tomorrow is my farewell party (yes, it's three weeks before I actually go, but really, just try to get on people's schedules....); my current nightmare is that I'll be sat in a room full of forty or so people, and no one's saying anything.
And as to moving... I've had a good look, and found about three dozen books that I want to take with me. That's a lot less than I was expecting, really - there's a few more I might want, but most of them I've not read for years. And apparently they have these things called Libraries in Canada, in case I get a hankering for a re-read.
I've contacted most of the companies I have direct debits with to inform them that I'm moving; there are a couple that can't cope with things too far in advance, so I've made a note to call them back later (the TV Licensing people, for example, can only deal with things two weeks in advance). I've also arranged insurance for me, and as a landlord.
I think I'm down to about a half dozen things left to do; but I'm still left with a few bits that need getting rid of; basically a vast amount of books and the car (plus a couple of old games consoles). I've got a few people coming round to grab what they want from the bookshelves, and after that, it'll be Freecycle, I think.
And tomorrow is my farewell party (yes, it's three weeks before I actually go, but really, just try to get on people's schedules....); my current nightmare is that I'll be sat in a room full of forty or so people, and no one's saying anything.
And as to moving... I've had a good look, and found about three dozen books that I want to take with me. That's a lot less than I was expecting, really - there's a few more I might want, but most of them I've not read for years. And apparently they have these things called Libraries in Canada, in case I get a hankering for a re-read.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
And if yesterday was productive.....
I've definitely managed to be pretty productive today.
Mainly because I've booked by flight back out; I'm heading to Canada on the 10th September.
And now I have an actual date, I can go through the rest of my to-do list and start crossing things off there much more quickly - I can do things like tell the TV Licensing people that I'm going to be moving out and cancel my TV license from that date.
Wooo. I can hopefully get a good half dozen things ticked off my list tomorrow.
Mainly because I've booked by flight back out; I'm heading to Canada on the 10th September.
And now I have an actual date, I can go through the rest of my to-do list and start crossing things off there much more quickly - I can do things like tell the TV Licensing people that I'm going to be moving out and cancel my TV license from that date.
Wooo. I can hopefully get a good half dozen things ticked off my list tomorrow.
Monday, 15 August 2011
A productive morning
At least, it feels like it.
I've managed to cross a few things off my list this morning - I'm currently awaiting a visit from the British Gas engineer, and I'm hoping we can finally get the boiler fixed (I think this will be the third attempt); I suspect that leaving a house to be let out with a dodgy boiler won't be the most well received.
I've also spoken to the electrician, and arranged for him to come by next week; I'm off to visit a friend for a couple of days, and suggested that he can pop in while I'm away to get done what needs sorting without me being under his feet. I just need to get his money sorted - luckily, all my cheques from last week should be clearing tomorrow, so that won't be a problem.
Finally, I've spoken to Endsleigh about landlord insurance. It was a surprisingly lengthy process and quite odd questions - can I guarantee that the house won't be unoccupied for 60 days? Well, no, I can't; I mean, what happens in the event of the upcoming zombie apocalypse? I'll be distracted enough running for my life from the brain-eating monsters, and I really won't need the additional stress from knowing my landlord insurance is now invalid.
I've managed to cross a few things off my list this morning - I'm currently awaiting a visit from the British Gas engineer, and I'm hoping we can finally get the boiler fixed (I think this will be the third attempt); I suspect that leaving a house to be let out with a dodgy boiler won't be the most well received.
I've also spoken to the electrician, and arranged for him to come by next week; I'm off to visit a friend for a couple of days, and suggested that he can pop in while I'm away to get done what needs sorting without me being under his feet. I just need to get his money sorted - luckily, all my cheques from last week should be clearing tomorrow, so that won't be a problem.
Finally, I've spoken to Endsleigh about landlord insurance. It was a surprisingly lengthy process and quite odd questions - can I guarantee that the house won't be unoccupied for 60 days? Well, no, I can't; I mean, what happens in the event of the upcoming zombie apocalypse? I'll be distracted enough running for my life from the brain-eating monsters, and I really won't need the additional stress from knowing my landlord insurance is now invalid.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Somewhere to live
And after the parts that went well....
I contacted a number of realtors before I flew over; a grand total of one bothered to get in touch. He started out telling me that he had a number of properties that would be suitable (before I left) to two (just after I landed) to one (when I actually managed to look around).
He was showing another three people round at the same time, and it was the only two bedroom apartment on their books. Apparently, it's the busy season for apartments - I expect it's because the academic year is due to start shortly.
But even then... I rather think that most of the realtors just can't be bothered with immigrants. The one I did speak to had a series of forms to fill in, and clearly was going to have issues with someone from outside the country. Specifically:
- A police check (sure - I've been in Canada two days now, so there probably won't be too much on it)
- A credit check (well, I opened my bank account yesterday, so I expect it'll be spotless)
- References (I've owned my own house for eight years)
- A guarantor (I've been in the country two days; how many people do you think I'll have met who'll guarantee my rent?)
So the whole finding an apartment thing failed miserably.
What I'm intending to do now is head back to Canada when I was going to anyway, and book myself into a cheap hotel. Then, buy a cheap bike and a mobile, and travel to areas a little further away from downtown. There must be a private landlord out there who'll be happy to take me on, especially since I'm happy to pay a year's rent upfront. In cash.
I contacted a number of realtors before I flew over; a grand total of one bothered to get in touch. He started out telling me that he had a number of properties that would be suitable (before I left) to two (just after I landed) to one (when I actually managed to look around).
He was showing another three people round at the same time, and it was the only two bedroom apartment on their books. Apparently, it's the busy season for apartments - I expect it's because the academic year is due to start shortly.
But even then... I rather think that most of the realtors just can't be bothered with immigrants. The one I did speak to had a series of forms to fill in, and clearly was going to have issues with someone from outside the country. Specifically:
- A police check (sure - I've been in Canada two days now, so there probably won't be too much on it)
- A credit check (well, I opened my bank account yesterday, so I expect it'll be spotless)
- References (I've owned my own house for eight years)
- A guarantor (I've been in the country two days; how many people do you think I'll have met who'll guarantee my rent?)
So the whole finding an apartment thing failed miserably.
What I'm intending to do now is head back to Canada when I was going to anyway, and book myself into a cheap hotel. Then, buy a cheap bike and a mobile, and travel to areas a little further away from downtown. There must be a private landlord out there who'll be happy to take me on, especially since I'm happy to pay a year's rent upfront. In cash.
Opening a Bank Account
I did this on my first full day in the country. I was armed with my passport, and my copy of the Permanent Resident form, and again, it went wonderfully. I think it took about half an hour from end to end.
I opted for the CIBC, for a couple of reasons. The main one was that I remembered them being willing to cash my £UK traveller's cheques when I was travelling in Canada a couple of years back; and the other is that, well, it was there.
They offer free banking for the first year, which is nice; and I'm more than happy to move to a different bank further down the line if required - I think a credit union is probably the way to go - but that will have to wait til I'm settled, and I can figure out what branches there are in the neighbourhood.
The banking system in Canada does seem a little backwards compared to the UK, I should say. You pay for each transaction, though you get a certain number free; and you also get to pay if you use a different bank's ATM - I don't think that's been the case in the UK for what? A decade?
I'm also intending to get a safe deposit box; some of the paperwork I've got, I'm going to have to keep for life (!), and really, who wouldn't want a safe deposit box?
I opted for the CIBC, for a couple of reasons. The main one was that I remembered them being willing to cash my £UK traveller's cheques when I was travelling in Canada a couple of years back; and the other is that, well, it was there.
They offer free banking for the first year, which is nice; and I'm more than happy to move to a different bank further down the line if required - I think a credit union is probably the way to go - but that will have to wait til I'm settled, and I can figure out what branches there are in the neighbourhood.
The banking system in Canada does seem a little backwards compared to the UK, I should say. You pay for each transaction, though you get a certain number free; and you also get to pay if you use a different bank's ATM - I don't think that's been the case in the UK for what? A decade?
I'm also intending to get a safe deposit box; some of the paperwork I've got, I'm going to have to keep for life (!), and really, who wouldn't want a safe deposit box?
Immigration
I was very, very impressed with the immigration service. Compared to some countries I've been to, which shall remain nameless as I expect to be visiting them again in the future, the attitude of the staff was wonderful. They were friendly, and quite incredibly helpful. They even took pity on my attempts to speak French.
There were no real issues - I was pointed in the right direction for the immigration center, and there were perhaps a dozen people waiting there, mostly in family groups. I was waiting for maybe half an hour. Then I was called over to finish off the paperwork.
It turns out that my last minute collection of bank statements wasn't needed, and I'd messed up one of the Goods Following forms (if you're using the B4a form, you need a B4 as a cover sheet - you don't list any of your items on the B4 form). Aside from that, it was a fairly smooth and practiced process, and it was definitely a lot less stressful than I'd feared.
There were no real issues - I was pointed in the right direction for the immigration center, and there were perhaps a dozen people waiting there, mostly in family groups. I was waiting for maybe half an hour. Then I was called over to finish off the paperwork.
It turns out that my last minute collection of bank statements wasn't needed, and I'd messed up one of the Goods Following forms (if you're using the B4a form, you need a B4 as a cover sheet - you don't list any of your items on the B4 form). Aside from that, it was a fairly smooth and practiced process, and it was definitely a lot less stressful than I'd feared.
And I'm back
Well, I've been back in the country for a couple of days. But I really, really don't deal well with jetlag, so it's taken me a little while to get compos mentis again.
The trip was mostly successful. I'm going to break it down into separate posts, otherwise this will be a stunningly long post. Plus this way, I can get four posts done instead of just one.
The trip was mostly successful. I'm going to break it down into separate posts, otherwise this will be a stunningly long post. Plus this way, I can get four posts done instead of just one.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Gulp
As I write this, it's 4pm on Monday afternoon. I have a train down to London tomorrow afternoon, where I get to spend the afternoon with my brother and his family; they have a young daughter, so it may be the last time I get to see them for quite some time.
Then it's off to Heathrow, where I'm booked into a hotel, and then at 11am Wednesday morning, I'll be off to Canada, to start off my visa.
I'm not scared.
I was scared last week. By now, I'm pretty much running on pure terror.
I think I've got almost all the paperwork I need; I spent a little while this morning wandering around my banks, getting ministatements from them (a total of six accounts - I think that that might possibly count as too any savings accounts). On the plus side, though, I can demonstrate that I have comfortably more than the minimum they require for immigration.
The only thing that remains is the forms listing the possessions I have when I come into the country, and the stuff that will follow on. Since it's going to be a brief flying visit, I'm going to have comparatively little with me, and I've been told that the follow on stuff that I'll be getting shipped over can be quite vague - there's no need to list every book I'm taking, just how many boxes they are. So that will be the plan for the evening - I've got the list from the movers about what I said I'd take, and I'll essentially use that as a template.
So I think I've got everything under control. Though I'll admit that I spent most of this morning panicking, and there's been a couple of fairly stress-filled calls to Canada so far today, too.
Then it's off to Heathrow, where I'm booked into a hotel, and then at 11am Wednesday morning, I'll be off to Canada, to start off my visa.
I'm not scared.
I was scared last week. By now, I'm pretty much running on pure terror.
I think I've got almost all the paperwork I need; I spent a little while this morning wandering around my banks, getting ministatements from them (a total of six accounts - I think that that might possibly count as too any savings accounts). On the plus side, though, I can demonstrate that I have comfortably more than the minimum they require for immigration.
The only thing that remains is the forms listing the possessions I have when I come into the country, and the stuff that will follow on. Since it's going to be a brief flying visit, I'm going to have comparatively little with me, and I've been told that the follow on stuff that I'll be getting shipped over can be quite vague - there's no need to list every book I'm taking, just how many boxes they are. So that will be the plan for the evening - I've got the list from the movers about what I said I'd take, and I'll essentially use that as a template.
So I think I've got everything under control. Though I'll admit that I spent most of this morning panicking, and there's been a couple of fairly stress-filled calls to Canada so far today, too.
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